Results: The majority (66%) of respondents reported moderate to
high resilience. Physical disability impacted on coping, with greater
CD-RISC 10 scores reported by individuals who were functionally
independent in addition to those who experienced less medical
co-morbidities. Significant correlations between resilience and
psychological traits (self-esteem r=0.36, P < 0.01; self-compassion r=0.40, P < 0.01) were
also noted. However, the combined contribution of these variables only
accounted for 23% of the total variance in resilience scores (R2=0.227,
F(5,94)=5.23, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: These findings extend current understanding of the
concept of resilience in adults with a congenital physical disability.
The suggestion is that resilience involves a complex interplay between
physical determinants of health and psychological characteristics, such
as self-esteem and self-compassion. It follows that cognitive
behavioural strategies with a focus on self-management may, in part,
contribute to the process of resilience in this group. Further
large-scale and longitudinal research will help to confirm these
findings.